E26: Addressing Trauma in Policing: Conversations on Transformation with Mark Baxter and Sandra Richardson

Today, we are making invisible things visible for first responders who have experienced traumatic injury on the job. We are talking to two guests. First we have Mark Baxter, the president of the Police Association of Ontario here representing the voice of over 28,000 sworn and civilian police personnel from 45 police associations across Ontario.  We are also joined by Dig a Little Deeper therapist Sandra Richardson, who before she became a Registered Psychotherapist, was a police officer in Toronto, and now specializes in the treatment of trauma in first responders.

We cover:

• Why police officers are at great risk for moral injury and occupational stress injury or post traumatic stress disorder,
• How both police and civilian colleagues can help officers make sustainable returns to work,
• What is being done to shift the culture of policing?
• Details about the first of its kind in Ontario, trauma treatment centre for first responders in Caledon, ON.

Resources mentioned in the show:

• Boots on the Ground: Peer support for First Responders
• Toronto Beyond the Blue
• PAO Mental Health and Wellness Resource page.
• Check out the ADHD Resource Hub for more info for all parts of the journey.
• Use the discount code ‘CCPODCAST’ at checkout, for 15% off on DIY*ADHD.

Guest Bios: Mark Baxter is President of the Police Association of Ontario (PAO). Mark was first elected to the PAO Board of Directors in 2014 as a Uniform Director. Since that time, Mark has been actively engaged in provincial matters related to policing, including holding the position of Board Chair for five of the last seven years. 

Find Mark: PAO Website | PAO Twitter | PAO Facebook

Sandra Richardson’s primary focus of practice is supporting First Responders and their families. Prior to receiving her Masters Degree, Sandra served 30 years as a municipal police officer in a variety of fields within policing. Sandra offers trauma therapy to first responders and their families with Dig a Little Deeper, in Ontario, and also works with Toronto Beyond the Blue and Boots on the Ground: Peer Support for First Responders.

Find Sandy: Sandy’s Bio page